Almost one million people are living with or beyond breast cancer and set to rise

New figures show that 920,000 people are living with or beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer in the UK, and it’s projected this figure will reach over 1.4 million people by 2050¹.

The UK’s leading breast cancer charity launches its commitment to be ‘Breast Cancer Now until we’re Breast Cancer Never’ - with a bold ambition that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.

Breast Cancer Now surveyed ² the UK public’s understanding of the disease and reveals some common misconceptions:

• 57% of people who haven’t had breast cancer are not worried about being diagnosed with breast cancer – but breast cancer is the biggest killer of working aged women in the UK (aged 20-64). ³
• 69% of people know someone who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer, yet nearly a third of people (30%) don’t feel confident about or weren’t sure where to turn for trusted information – Breast Cancer Now and its expert nurses are here for anyone affected by breast cancer, offering trusted information and support online and over the phone.
• While over half of people know that hair loss (56%) and sickness (50%) are side effects of breast cancer treatment, people are much less aware of the devastating impacts it can have on lives such as around fertility (32%) and menopausal symptoms (27%).
• More than a fifth of people (22%) are unsure or don’t believe men can get breast cancer – but 400 men are diagnosed each year in the UK, that’s more than one a day.

Breast Cancer Now is combining the power of science and support to change breast cancer. Now. Through life-saving research, life-changing support and change-making campaigns the charity is changing the future of breast cancer. And it won’t stop until everyone lives and lives well. Change happens now.

Over the next five years Breast Cancer Now is doubling its research spend and supercharging progress on incurable secondary (or metastatic) breast cancer, exploring how medicine can be tailored to individuals and how existing drugs could be used to treat breast cancer. And they will use the power of AI and new technologies to make progress further and faster.

Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said:

“The shocking truth is that almost one million people are now living with or beyond breast cancer in the UK and these numbers are rising. Behind these figures are too many human lives being touched and ripped apart by this devastating disease.

“Yet despite this, our research reveals many misconceptions are held around breast cancer – we must set the record straight, wake up the nation to the realities of breast cancer and urgently drive progress further, faster.

“That’s why we’re driving progress in breast cancer research globally, building on our major breakthroughs to date, doubling our research spend and supercharging progress on incurable secondary breast cancer in the next five years. We’re also here for anyone affected by breast cancer through our life-changing support, at a time when we’re needed more than ever before.

“We’re relentless in our determination to be Breast Cancer Now until we’re Breast Cancer Never. And we won’t stop until this is a reality - but we can’t achieve this alone. Change happens now.”

Anne Nolan visited the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research, London last year, where she saw our world-leading research teams in action and heard more about the pioneering research and breakthroughs made at the Centre since it opened 25 years ago. Breast cancer has deeply impacted the Nolan family - Anne's sister Bernie died in 2013 and Linda last year. Anne herself was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and has been cancer-free for six years since a second diagnosis. She said: 

“I know all too well the devastating impact that breast cancer can have on people and their loved ones, which is why I so strongly support Breast Cancer Now’s bold ambition that by 2050 everyone with breast cancer will live and live well.

“I’ve seen for myself research happening in their labs right now and how Breast Cancer Now’s scientists are driving progress. It gives me so much hope that we'll keep finding better ways to treat breast cancer and one day cures too, so no-one dies of this disease in the future.”

Jackie Jones, 55, of Pembrokeshire, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 after finding a pea-sized lump in her left breast, said:

“I'd only started checking my breasts the year I found a lump. Following surgery, I was told my cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, which terrified me. I needed further surgery to clear the lymph nodes from my armpit, then chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I found the side effects from treatment were worse after each treatment which was a lot to deal with.

“Now though, I feel so lucky to be out the other side of treatment and even though I struggle with long-term side effects  I'm passionate about grabbing every bit of fun and love I can, every single day, including being part of The Bluetits wild swimming group who've helped me immensely over the past six years and are now close friends.

“I'm incredibly proud to be supporting Breast Cancer Now as I know firsthand how vital their work is to change the future of breast cancer.”

Breast Cancer Now won’t stop until we reach a future where everyone with breast cancer lives and lives well. Join us now at breastcancernow.org

ENDS 

Notes:

References:

1 920,000 people are estimated to be living with or beyond a breast cancer diagnosis. This is predicted to rise to 1.4 million in 2045. Macmillan Cancer Support and Scottish Widows (2026). Living with and beyond cancer in 2045: see the future, support the people. Available at: scottishwidows.co.uk/help-support/health-and-wellbeing/macmillan/living-with-cancer-report.html

2 This online survey of 2000 UK adults (nationally representative on the basis of age, gender, and region) was commissioned by Breast Cancer Now and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society's code of conduct. Data was collected between 6th and 10th March 2026. All participants are double-opted in to take part in research and are paid an amount depending on the length and complexity of the survey. This survey was overseen and edited by the OnePoll research team. OnePoll are MRS Company Partners, corporate membership of ESOMAR and Members of the British Polling Council. 

3 Working age’ defined as 20-64. In Scotland and Wales, heart disease slightly overtakes, but breast cancer is still one of the top killers.